Fake nails without gloves, unsuitable containers: Abilene's weekly restaurant inspections

The city of Abilene Environmental Health Division regularly monitors restaurants and food establishments for compliance with state food safety requirements.

Frequent inspections are essential in preventing the spread of foodborne illnesses through contamination and improper handling, storage and sanitation.

Scores for retail food establishments, food stores, mobile food units and school and daycare establishments inspected the week of Sept. 30-Oct. 6 are listed below.

Disclaimer: On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in its most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment. A few more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

Perfect scores

Dignity Health Management Food Pantry , 426 Butternut St.

Meals on Wheels , 717 N. 10th St.

Topline , 3290 Rebecca Lane

Panda Express , 1749 Highway 351

Dirty Dough Cookies , 4464 Buffalo Gap Road

Life of Pie-Mobile Food Unit , 3382 Rebecca Lane

High to moderates scores

Market Street-Deli , 4450 Buffalo Gap Road: 99

Cordell's , 6410 Buffalo Gap Road: 99

Texas Steak Express , 5217 U.S. Highway 277 South: 98

Oscar's Mexican Restaurant , 1665 State Highway 351: 98

Monterrey Restaurant , 3310 N. 10th St.: 98

Chick-Fil-A , 401 Cypress St.: 98

DK , 5150 U.S. Highway 277: 97

McAlister's Deli , 3318 S. Clack St.: 96

Mustang Donuts , 802 E. Highway 80: 96

Children of Light , 588 E. Ambler Ave.: 96

Encompass Health , 6401 Directors Parkway: 96

Statesmen Coffee Company , 5001 Buffalo Gap Road: 95

Wienerschnitzel , 2997 S. 14th St.: 94

Oasis , 2749 S. First St.: 94

Rinconcito Salvadoreno-Mobile , 2934 Edgemont Drive: 94

Lustea-Boba , 3751 Catclaw Drive: 93

McAlister's Deli , 849 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 93

Kindercare , 2309 S. Willis St.: 92

Nothing Bundt Cakes , 3810 Buffalo Gap Road: 91

The Shed Market , 7925 Buffalo Gap Road: 91

Ounce Coffee Company , 3126 S. 27th St.: 91

Firehouse Subs , 3858 Ridgemont Drive: 90

Joe's Pizza & Pasta , 4460 Buffalo Gap Road: 90

Last week's inspections: Black mold substances and 6-year-old handler cards: Abilene's weekly restaurant inspections

Low scores and why

Stripes , 4057 Loop 322: 89

• Priority violation: Shredded cheese held cold on the food line temped in the danger zone. Employee discarded it.
• No certified food manager was on-site at the time of inspection.
• Observed a wiping cloth being stored on the food prep counter in between uses. Cloths need to be stored in approved sanitizing solutions while not being used.
• A box containing a single-use item was being stored on the floor in dry storage. Item needs to be stored off the floor to prevent contamination.
• Observed a black substance on the exhaust fans inside the walk-in cooler and grease droplets on the vent hood over the cook tops.

CiCi's Pizza , 3366 Turner Plaza: 89

• Priority violation: Pepperoni on the pizza food line temped above maximum cold holding temperature due to the food container being overstuffed.
• Priority violation: A plastic scoop with old food residue was being held with clean utensils. Item was removed, rewashed and sanitized.
• Priority violation: A spoiled green pepper was stored in the walk-in cooler. Item was removed and discarded voluntarily.
• A soiled wiping cloth was held on the pizza food prep line in between use and not in sanitizing bucket.
• A spoon handle was held in the cooked pasta inside the walk-in cooler. Utensil handles must be above the food contents in order to prevent contamination.

Family Dollar , 1402 Butternut St.: 89

• Priority violation: Three containers of Lunchables bearing the date "8/14/24" were found in the reach-in cooler. Items were removed for disposal. Inspection completed on Oct. 4.
• Priority violation: Five Chobani yogurts bearing the date "9/17/24" were available for consumer consumption. Items were removed for disposal.
• Priority violation: Two packages of Hillshire snack packs bearing the date "9/10/24" were stored in the walk-in cooler. Items were removed for disposal.
• Priority violation: Several food items were held past the discard date, and items were discarded due to no longer being in a safe condition.
• Priority violation: Observed a package of Johnsonville sausage with damage to the casing. Item was removed for disposal.
• Several containers of Talenti Gelato in the reach-in cooler had been thawed and refrozen.
• Observed old, soiled food residue on the shelves in the reach-in cooler in the back of the establishment.

Papa Johns Pizza , 3900 N. First St.: 89

• Priority violation: A spray bottle with liquid inside had no label identifying its contents.
• Priority violation: Observed leaks in the establishment. One was found under the three-compartment sink.
• An employee with fake nails was handling food without gloves.
• Employees' water bottles were stored in the walk-in cooler next to food items.
• Multiple handles were held in food items on the pizza prep line. Employee corrected on-site.
• Observed a leak coming from the ceiling in the ware washing room. Facilities must remain in good repair.

Heff's Burgers , 2642 E. Lake Road: 88

• Priority violation: Seasoned chicken held in the drawer cooler for more than 24 hours was not date marked. Seasoned chicken was prepped on Monday. Inspection done on Friday, Oct. 4. Corrected on-site by the manager.
• No hand-washing soap was provided at the hand-washing sink behind the swinging door.
• Equipment and utensils are not maintained in good repair. A spatula was seen with a crack in it. Corrected on-site by the manager.
• Establishment not inspecting the premises for presence of insects, rodents and other pests. Multiple flies and gnats were seen in the establishment.
• Door gaskets at the freezer and the reach-in coolers are worn and no longer effective to perform its function properly.
• Nonfood contact surfaces of the sides of the fryers are not free of grease residue.

McDonald's , 4302 Buffalo Gap Road: 86

• Priority violation: Sliced tomatoes on food prep line temped at 55 degrees.
• Priority violation: The establishment used time without temperature control for sliced tomatoes without first obtaining approval from the regulatory authority.
• Priority violation: Sanitizer buckets were not labeled to identify the chemical in the bucket.
• Equipment lacked capacity to maintain sliced tomatoes under 41 degrees or less.
• Multiple utensils were in the hand-washing sink in the ware wash area. Hand-washing sinks should be used for hand-washing only.
• No reporting symptoms and diagnosis signage was placed at the hand-washing sinks.

Don Luis Café , 2801 S. First St.: 85

• Priority violation: Three food items in the walk-in cooler did not bear a date or day label.
• Priority violation: Observed food residues on the food contact surface of a can opener blade. Person in charge stated they no longer use that can opener.
• A twist-top bottle of water was stored in a reach-in cooler next to food items making contamination prevention impossible.
• Multiple wet wiping cloths were on food prep tables throughout the establishment and not held in sanitizer solution in between uses.
• Multiple food items stored in a reach-in freezer did not have a cover to protect from contamination.
• Incorrect storage of utensils. A food dispensing scoop handle was seen placed on top of sugar and a utensil stored in rice bulk container had the handle touching the food product.
• Multiple bowls were stored on a food prep table with the food contact surfaces open to contamination. Clean equipment and utensils shall be stored covered or inverted.
• Foods, such as cooked chicken, were placed in used sour cream containers. The establishment was reusing sour cream containers and placing other food items in them which is a violation of multiple state and federal laws.
• Observed dust on top of a reach-in cooler and food residues on the door cavity of a reach-in cooler.
• Food and grease residues were evident on equipment utility lines.

Allsup's , 2550 S. Clack St.: 85

• Priority violation: A Chobani product was held in reach-in cooler after its expiration date. Person in charge voluntarily discarded.
• Priority violation: Two tongs on the food prep line were stored in a manner that does not prevent contamination.
• Priority violation: Spray bottles containing cleaning solutions did not have proper label of its content.
• A cracked container with pulled pork was stored in the reach-in cooler on the food prep line. Person in charge voluntarily discarded item due to damage to the container.
• Single-use food containers were stored to be exposed to contamination by not being covered.
• Single-use cups near the soda machine were stored with the lip contact surface exposed to potential contamination. Items need to be displayed in an inverted fashion to prevent contamination.
• Outside receptacle had the side doors open. If not in use they need to remain closed.
• A soiled mop was held in the mop bucket and not properly stored.

Allsup's , 202 W. Overland Trail: 84

• Priority violation: Chopped beef and hot links in the walk-in cooler were not date marked.
• Priority violation: Hot dogs in the display cooler were held past the discard date mark "9/25/24." Inspection completed on Oct. 1. Corrected on-site by the manager.
• Priority violation: Whole tomato in the display cooler was developing white mold rendering it unsafe to consume. Corrected on-site.
• A sanitizing solution test kit for measuring sanitizing solution concentration was not provided.
• The hand-washing sink was used as a dump sink for ice.
• Failure to wear appropriate hair restraints in an effective manner.
• Observed a damaged and spoiled tomato stored next to and above sound onions and jalapenos in the display cooler.
• A light shield was not on the light on the first light fixture in the walk-in cooler.
• Physical facilities deemed not maintained in good repair. Observed broken ceiling tiles in the main customer area.

Oscar's Mexican Restaurant , 5125 Buffalo Gap Road: 81

• Priority violation: Salsa verde held cold located in the glass cooler since "9/28/24" was held at 47 degrees for more than four hours. Inspection completed on Oct. 3. Salsa was discarded by the manager.
• Priority violation: Scrambled eggs with sausage on the steam table for hot holding was held in the danger zone. Scrambled eggs were reheated in the microwave to 165 degrees.
• Priority violation: Food not protected from cross-contamination. Raw beef was stored above sopapilla dough, a ready-to-eat food, in the walk-in cooler. Corrected on-site by the manager.
• Priority violation: Raw shell eggs were placed on the nonfood contact surface of linens and napkins while in storage.
• Priority violation: Food employees contacted and exposed ready-to-eat green peppers with their bare hands. Cut green peppers were discarded on-site. The employee washed their hands and put on gloves before beginning more food prep.
• Priority violation: Improper storage of hand sanitizer stored next to single-use straws at the drive thru window.
• Soap was not provided at the hand-washing sink by the prep line area.
• Equipment and utensils are not maintained in good repair. Raw shell eggs in the glass cooler stored in a cracked, plastic container.

Betty Roses , 2588 E. Lake Road: 80

• Priority violation: Macaroni salad in the glass cooler for more than 24 hours was not date marked. Macaroni salad was prepped on Sept. 30. Inspection done on Oct. 1. Corrected on-site.
• Priority violation: Can opener blade was not clean.
• Priority violation: Improper storage of toxic items. A spray bottle of sanitizer was stored next to a container of seasoning on the bottom prep shelf. Corrected on-site by the manager.
• A sanitizing solution test kit for measuring sanitizing solution concentration was not provided.
• Soap was not provided at the hand-washing sink in the back prep area.
• Equipment and utensils are not in good repair. Observed a rusted bottom shelf that had a hole in the middle of it in the food prep area.
• Improper thawing of sausage links using the water method. Observed sausage links sitting in a container of water on the prep counter. Thaw food under cold, running water.
• Cutting board at the beef cutting station has deep grooves and knife indentations and is no longer cleanable.
• Physical facilities not cleaned as often as necessary to maintain clean condition. Observed grease buildup on the walls by the grill and fryer.

Jack N Jill Donuts , 3298 S. 14th St.: 78

• Priority violation: A room off the food prep area had a crib and a male sleeping inside. A room used as a living or sleeping quarters may not be used for conducting food establishment operations.
• Priority violation: Mold-type substance was seen on the soda machine ice dispenser making it impossible for ice to be safe for consumption.
• Priority violation: Chemical bottles were seen placed on food prep tables. Items need to be stored with like items.
• Priority violation: Prescription bottle was used as a utensil to prep food for service.
• Priority violation: Observed a plumbing line leaking under the soda machine.
• Food contents were inside the hand-washing sink at the food counter.
• All food contact surfaces, counters or work surfaces in the establishment are not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable. Observed the donut icing rack sitting on a piece of cardboard in the back. Cardboard can't be easily cleaned during service.
• Several dead roaches were on the floor in the food prep area.
• Wiping cloths were not stored inside a sanitizing bucket between uses.
• Unclean bins were used as storage containers for flour and other food products.
• Equipment in the establishment were not being properly cleaned to reduce the food debris build-up.
• Dust was on all air ducts and vents inside the establishment.
• Light fixtures inside the food prep area did not have covers or shatter-resistant shielding.
• Observed a back room full of unserviceable equipment and unnecessary items.
• Ceiling tiles throughout the establishment were not easily cleanable.
• A trash receptacle located in the employee bathroom did not have a lid.

Szechuan Chinese Restaurant , 3425 S. First St.: 68

• Priority violation: Chicken and beef on the food prep line temped 45 degrees. Flip-top cooler lid needs to remain shut to keep food in temperature.
• Priority violation: Observed beef being held in the reach-in cooler next to sliced vegetables. Person in charge separated items onto different shelves.
• Priority violation: Meat slicer was unclean with old food residue.
• Priority violation: An employee's personal medication was stored with food items and over food prep areas.
• Priority violation: Several chemicals were stored with food items in the food prep area.
• Several food containers had improper labeling.
• An inoperable thermometer was in the reach-in cooler on the food prep line.
• Observed ice inside the hand-washing sink at the serving station.
• Soap was not provided at the hand-washing sink in the bar area.
• Grocery bags marked as "not recommended for food storage" were observed to be storing dried orange peels and other food items. The grocery bags are not considered an approved food-contact surface.
• A knife was seen inside of a piece of cardboard and stored under the slicer. Cardboard is not designed and constructed as an easily cleanable surface.
• Food storage container lids had visible cracks and chips. Person in charge removed and discarded.
• Several flies were seen in the food prep and cooking areas.
• The back door was propped open which allowed for pests to enter the food prep area.
• Several employee drinks did not have lids and employee meals were stored in the walk-in and reach-in coolers. Employee goods need to have a designated area.
• Wiping cloths throughout the establishment were not stored properly in sanitizing buckets.
• Food boxes and containers were inside the walk-in freezer on the floor, which does not prevent contamination.
• Food containers were in the walk-in cooler without lids exposing food contents to contamination.
• Bowls were used as scoops inside food containers, unable to prevent contamination without bowls having proper handles.
• Cutting boards at the bar and food prep lines had visible scoring making them difficult to properly clean and sanitize.
• An ice scoop was held on top of the ice machine without a proper barrier allowing for environmental contamination.
• The flour scoop had its handle inside the contents of the container.
• A food container did not have a label identifying its contents in the food prep area.
• Equipment and handles of multiple reach-in coolers had old food residue. Surfaces and equipment should be cleaned at a frequency to reduce soil accumulation and residue.
• Racks in the walk-in cooler were not cleanable.
• Exhaust fans in the walk-in cooler showed signs of dust.
• Outside receptacle had both side doors open.
• Mop was not stored properly to air dry.
• A receptacle in employee bathroom did not have a cover.
• No evidence of reporting symptoms signage at any hand-washing station.

To report a food establishment that is not following safe food-handling practices, call Environmental Health at 325-437-4590 to initiate a complaint. Be prepared to provide specific details about the name and address of the facility, the date and time the unsafe practice was observed, and the exact practice in question.

More: Who should be the Abilene Reporter-News High School Athlete of the Week?

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Fake nails without gloves, unsuitable containers: Abilene's weekly restaurant inspections